Global innovation giant Siemens opens new Tonsley facility

One of the world’s largest engineering and advanced technology firms, Siemens, is the latest high-profile company to open its doors at Tonsley.

Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis today officially launched Siemens’ new $5 million purpose-built, world-class maintenance and repair facility for its energy technology business.

Mr Koutsantonis said Siemens’ commitment to Tonsley is a significant development in the Tonsley story, given the company’s vast global experience and its technology base.

“Siemens is one of the world’s largest engineering and advanced technology firms and has been in Australia for more than 140 years,” Mr Koutsantonis said.

“Siemens has been involved in South Australia since the first telegraph line between Darwin and Adelaide, through to today where its technology is helping produce clean drinking water and create renewable energy with the most efficient wind turbines.

“With the move to Tonsley, Siemens will be able to work alongside the world-class research and training facilities of Flinders University and TAFE SA already on site, accelerating the design, testing and commercialisation of products, systems and services.

“Initially, the Siemens site will employ around 25 people with plans to double this workforce in line with projected growth of the business.”

In 2012, Siemens signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the State Government to support the redevelopment of Tonsley and to assist in establishing a national and global model of a sustainable technologies precinct.

Siemens CEO Jeff Connolly said the global technology giant was proud to deliver on the promise to investigate opportunities for collaboration between education, research and industry.

“A long-term viable manufacturing and technology sector matters to South Australia and also matters to Siemens. With this facility in Tonsley we are in a unique position to partner with the state on a diverse range of critical industries and projects,” Mr Connolly said.

“The opening of the service centre coincides with the completion of the $10 billion acquisition by Siemens of Dresser-Rand. That will ensure a comprehensive portfolio of equipment and capability for oil and gas. This service centre will help make sure that the servicing of all of this equipment can now happen in Australia.

“In a time where South Australia faces higher unemployment and the exit of the automotive industry, it’s crucial that we transition to a hi-tech future and quickly. In order to be part of those global supply chains, companies must adopt globally-accepted standards and tools such as Siemens Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software that is a staple for more than 77,000 companies around the world.”

Mr Koutsantonis said Siemens has the world’s largest environment portfolio and provides technology solutions for energy, healthcare, infrastructure and cities and industrial sectors, employing more than 400,000 people globally including 100 people in South Australia.

“To have this great company firstly invest, but secondly be so vocal in its commitment to Tonsley, speaks volumes for the vision the State Government has for this site as an incubator for innovation, research and technology,” he said.

“I put a call out last year for companies to be bold and take South Australia into a high-technology, digital age, and Siemens has answered that call with Tonsley providing a platform for its efforts.

“Tonsley is the focal point of this State Government’s efforts to transform South Australia’s manufacturing sector and build world-class industry capabilities.”